IMG Boys Invitation Tournament 2014
                       Super group
              Wednesday 17th December 2014 11am 
                         Day 1

                   SPURS     v    BALTIMORE
                (White/Blue)     (All Black)
                   4-3-3            4-3-3

                    6(1)             1(0)

Spurs:– McDermott; Paul, Maghoma(Walkes 61), Ogilvie, Muscatt; Ross, Amos(Stylianides 69), Owens(Goddard 72), Sonupe(Daly 61), Loft(Harrison 69), Georgiou(Azzaoui 61)

Unused subs:– Voss; Walker-Peters, Carter-Vickers Scorers:– Sonupe 14, Loft 51, 54, Harrison 74, 80+2, Azzaoui 77 Booked:– Amos 31(Foul), Muscatt 66(Foul)

Baltimore:– Hunt; Macdonald, Momoh, Collins, Gabarra(Vandenberg 69), Smith, Barger, Akuffo(Brown 41), Hall, Griggs(Robinson 52), Gielen (Akinosotu 41)

Unused subs:– Meyer, Gueye, Thorne Scorer:– Collins 54 Booked:– Barger 24(Foul), Collins 63(Foul)

It was an overcast chilly morning for Spurs' opening game at the IMG Cup against Baltimore Celtic, with whom they drew 2-2 in last year's competition. There were no squad lists available for this match so I have had to do a little digging for the names.

Spurs lined up with McDermott in goal behind Maghoma, back from injury, and Ogilvie with Paul at right back and Muscatt on the left. Amos anchored the midfield with Owens and Ross alongside him while Loft led the line with Sonupe on his right and Georgiou on his left.

Spurs kicked off the match attacking the North end and took a little while to break down the Celtic defence. Hall fired over and Collins drove wide early on before Sonupe was played in to fire wide for a corner. Georgiou took the kick and Maghoma rose highest to head wide. Minutes later Amos won the ball in midfield and played in Loft who laid the ball off to Sonupe making a run into the area. The winger side-stepped Hunt to score.

Baltimore responded with a ball whipped across the box by Hall, who had got round the back. Hunt saved a long ranged effort by Loft. When Griggs fouled Owens on the edge of the area Ogilvie stepped up and drove the free kick into the wall. A short corner by Georgiou to Sonupe was driven wide by Amos who was booked stopping a Baltimore break by Gabarra.

Sonupe was pulled back right on the edge of the area by Barger, who was booked. Sonupe's header from the free kick by Georgiou was saved. Gabarra fired wide before Sonupe was played in by Muscatt but drove wide. The last chance of the half fell to Muscatt after he played a one two with Sonupe only to fire wide.

Baltimore made a couple of changes for the second half and had the first effort by Gabarra which was saved. Spurs continued to use the flanks and Georgiou had an effort saved, as did Sonupe, before a through ball to Georgiou saw Collins take out the winger in the area to concede a penalty. Loft stepped up and drove it low into the left corner to double Spurs' lead.

Baltimore pulled a goal back when Collins scored with a powerful far post header from a free kick by Smith. Spurs freshened up their attack by replacing both wingers with Daly on the right and Azzaoui on the left while Walkes took over from Maghoma at the back.

Collins found Azzaoui too hot for him and was booked for a foul on the flying winger. Daly's cross was played through by Owens, for Loft to score his second, which led to Spurs making another two changes. Stylianides replaced Amos in midfield with Harrison coming on for Loft.

Baltimore brought on Vandenberg at the same time and he had a weak effort saved from a half cleared corner soon after coming on. Goddard replaced Owens as Spurs turned the screw on their opponents. Azzaoui got down the left and played the ball into Harrison whose shot was blocked for a corner. Daly popped up on the left and drove the ball low into the far post where Harrison was on hand to tap it over the line. I thought that the winger had scored as his team-mates congratulated him.

Three minutes later and it was five when Azzaoui dribbled his way through the left channel before scoring with a shot into the far side. Walkes sent Daly away down the right and his cross into Harrison was saved by Hunt. Harrison did get his second goal in added time when Azzaoui got to the line and crossed from the left. It came off Goddard's head and the striker, with his back to goal, hit it on the turn into the right corner.

This was a good performance by the team and good work by the wingers especially in wearing Baltimore down. Once Spurs settled into their passing game, Baltimore were pushed back, unlike last year when the Americans could have won with their pressing game.

In the other group game the US national U-17 side lost to Toluca having had the better of the game. The Mexican outfit scored against the run of play with a good far post header and then sat back allowing the Americans to push forward before counter attacking. Tomorrow Spurs play Toluca knowing a win will put them well on the way to winning the group. In the other group Stevenage beat Brentford 3-0.

Ray

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